Science: The White Death

Even as rescuers were searching for the victims of Europe's latest
avalanches (see THE WORLD), scientists atop an Alpine mountain were
continuing the work that may some day prevent such disasters. They are
members of Switzerland's Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche
Research, the world's first and foremost scientific establishment
dedicated to the study and forecasting of avalanches. Before the
institute was established 26 years ago, high above the resort town of
Davos in the eternal snows of the 8,000-ft. Weissfluhjoch, knowledge of
avalanches consisted mostly of folklore. Now, thanks to the institute's...